Leeds United's under-23 side return to action on Friday afternoon as they look to bounce back from last week's disappointing defeat to Crewe.

Carlos Corberan's side went down 3-1 away to the Railwaymen last time out in what was only their second defeat of the season.

The Whites coach put a strong side out that afternoon and they could be set to include a number of first-teamers this time out, given that it is the international break.

The defeat to Crewe saw Leeds slip to second spot in the Professional Development League 2, where they sit a point behind Bolton Wanderers. Today's opponents Birmingham City are four points further back in fifth.

We'll have team news, followed by all the action and analysis from Thorp Arch as it happens right here.

A look at Brown's performance

And then come back here to see how the final 30 minutes pan out, as Corberan’s side continue their slow start to the second half.

14:21

Sub: Stevens off, Dalby on

Leeds make their second change of the afternoon, following further Blues pressure at the start of the second half.

Sam Dalby is on for Jordan Stevens.

14:15

Good save from Blackman

Birmingham have begun the second half well here.

They’ve been on the front foot and Blackman has just made a good save, palming the ball over the bar.

The visitors win a couple of corners, but eventually clear.

14:09

Brown replaced for the second half

The visitors get the second half underway at Thorp Arch.

One change - Clarke Oduor has replaced Izzy Brown.

I wouldn’t be too worried about that one - the plan would likely have been to have given the returning loanee just 45 minutes as he gets back to speed.

13:56

First half thoughts...

Izzy Brown is the big story today and in terms of a comeback match, all has gone well so far.

He’s looked very fit and mobile, getting up and down the pitch as he looked to play his way in.

When he’s been on the ball he’s been confident enough, trying nutmegs, ambitious passes and the like. He also put in a good sliding tackle to tick off another box when it comes to testing his fitness.

It’ll be interesting to see if he gets the full 90 minutes.

At the other end, Jamal Blackman hasn’t pulled up too many trees, giving away the penalty with a foul and was guilty of a few flaps at some balls in the box.

If there is to be a debate about who should be starting in goal for Bielsa, he’s not strengthened his cause so far this afternoon.

13:48KEY EVENT

HALF-TIME: Leeds United 0-1 Birmingham City

There goes the half-time whistle.

Not a lot in this one, which has been a decent contest. Some good battles out there, with Gardner’s penalty separating the two sides at the break.

13:47

Brown crosses in

Closing stages of the first half now, with Leeds looking to find an equaliser.

Brown gets the ball on the edge of the box, takes a couple of neat touches and lofts a ball into Clarke, who heads wide. That’s probably Leeds’ best chance so far.

13:42

Leeds give the ball away again

It’s been a decent defensive display from Birmingham so far, as they’ve been on the Leeds attackers very quickly, offering very little time and space. Leeds guilty of giving it away too easily, with Jordan Stevens the latest to do so and Leeds concede a corner.

13:37

Brown goes flying in

Into the final ten minutes of the first-half.

Brown gets the ball, going past one man and passing out wide to Davis.

Some tidy touches in here from Brown, who is looking confident.

He then goes flying in with a tackle. Another good test of the knee.

13:31

Diaz has a go

How are Leeds going to respond here?

Hugo Diaz takes it upon himself, surging forwards and shooting from range. It’s parried by the keeper, but Edmondson can’t quite get there.

Leeds go on and win a free kick on the left, but it’s drifted in by Clarke and falls into the ‘keeper’s arms.

13:29KEY EVENT

GOAL: Leeds United 0-1 Birmingham City (Gardner, pen)

Leeds have had a better spell here, putting together a series of quick passes, with most players taking just one or two touches.

But Birmingham have now won a corner as they look to attack again.

Blackman flaps at it, but Edmondson is there behind to head away, firmly.

But it comes back in and Blackman fouls Bogle when he tries to punch the ball away and the ref points to the spot.

Penalty.

And Craig Gardner fires home from the spot.

13:21

Brown looking to get involved

Izzy Brown is trying to himself involved here following an opening quarter of an hour where the visitors have had the better chances.

He’s just played a nice pass out wide to Clarke on the right.

13:18

Birmingham hit the wood work

More pressure from the visitors who charge into the box, play a one-two before Blackman parries the ball out.

A rounded shot comes in and hits the post.

Leeds escape with a goal kick.

13:14

Clarke free-kick

Another chance for the Blues - Blackman gets behind it but spills his take. Luckily, there’s no on there to capitalise on it from a Birmingham point of view.

He clears and Leeds win a free-kick five yards outside the Blues box.

Jack Clarke is going to take it... but it fails to clear the wall.

13:10

Chance for Birmingham

Birmingham break forward after a mix up in the Leeds defence, but the shot is poor and Blackman gathers.

Davis swings a long cross in and Clarke is there on the other flank to get the ball, but he again sees his cross fail to connect.

Clarke looking to get the crosses in early here.

13:09

Brown playing behind the striker

Leeds, as ever, looking to build from the back.

The visitors have two up top, which explains Leeds playing three at the back - that’s one of Bielsa’s key tenants.

Brown, who appears to be the ‘one’ in the 3-3-1-3 formation, sees the ball in the middle, plays out to Clarke on the left, who sees his cross beat everyone.

A good, quick release from Brown there.

13:05

Leeds playing three at the back

Brown’s first work is on defensive duty, helping clear from a corner after Blackman tips it on.

Birmingham started on the front foot here.

Looking like Leeds are playing three at the back, with Shackleton and Davis as the wing-backs.

13:03

KICK-OFF

It’s a foggy, damp day at Thorp Arch, where Leeds United will be sporting their all-white kit.

The players are out - Izzy Brown among them. Very easy to spot with his distinctive hairstyle and the number 10 shirt.

While we wait...

More on the team news

Here’s the tweet from Leeds confirming the team.

A young side (if that’s not an oxymoron for an under-23 side) with the key members of Marcelo Bielsa’s first-team either injured, on international duty, or on holiday in Dubai by the look of Adam Forshaw’s Instagram Story.

A front three of Clarke, Brown and Edmondson (who also returns from injury) looks tasty.